Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
3–4 tablespoons ice water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Zest and juice of 4 lemons (about 1/2 cup juice)
2 cups heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
Additional lemon slices and zest for garnish
Instructions
Mix flour and salt for the crust. Add cold butter, then gradually add ice water until the dough forms a ball. Press into a 9-inch pie dish, refrigerate while preparing the filling.
In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, egg yolks, butter, cornstarch, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture thickens and coats a spoon (5-7 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in remaining lemon juice, and cool completely.
In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the cooled curd. Pour into the chilled pie crust, spreading evenly.
Whip heavy cream or coconut milk with vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Fold in cream cheese and sour cream. Spread the cream mixture atop the curd layer.
Chill for 2 hours before slicing. Arrange lemon slices and zest on top before serving.
Notes
For gluten-free: Substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour in the crust.
For vegan: Use coconut milk for the curd, cashew cream or vegan cream cheese, and coconut yogurt instead of sour cream.
Chill the pie for at least 2 hours to set all layers.
Store unused lemon zest in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Tropical twist: Serve with freshly whipped coconut cream and lavender sugar cookies.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: No-Bake Creamy Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg